BART to open early, run long trains for 2018 Bay to Breakers Race

BART customers will be able to get to the world famous Bay to Breakers race in San Francisco on Sunday, May 20, 2018, because we’ll open early and run additional long trains. All BART stations will open early with service starting at approximately 6am Sunday so racers can get to the race well before the race begins at 8am. Trains running before 8am will run at 20 to 30-minute intervals.

Embarcadero & Montgomery Street Both Convenient Because the Bay to Breakers race attracts thousands of runners and spectators, BART encourages riders originating from Peninsula and San Francisco stations to get off at Montgomery Street Station. Riders coming from the East Bay should use the Embarcadero Station. Both stations are just a short distance from Howard and Spear Streets, the starting point of the race.

See Something, Say SomethingSafety is always our top priority—we increase our security measures for any events with large crowds. We’re asking you to help us keep the system safe for everyone by reporting unattended packages or suspicious behavior. Call BART Police at (510) 464-7000 or download the BARTwatch App for iOS or Android and use your smart phone to make a report.

Tips for RunnersRunners can save time, money, and trouble by getting a Clipper® card in advance of race day to pay your fare. Be sure to load enough cash on the card to pay for a round trip fare. Clipper cards are available at transit ticket offices, through ticket vending machines in all BART stations, and at most Walgreens and other retail locations. Remember you'll save $.50 per trip by using Clipper instead of a paper ticket.

Wet or damaged BART tickets will not work in fare gates, so runners who keep a round-trip paper ticket in their pockets while running seven miles may be disappointed when they try to get home. BART suggests that runners who don’t have Clipper should buy two one-way tickets: one ticket before heading to the race and the other before catching the train home instead of buying a single round-trip ticket. Remember to add an extra $.50 to each ticket.

BART reminds runners that shoes and proper attire are required on BART despite the “anything goes” attitude of the famous race. Remember there is no eating or drinking in the stations or on the trains so do your pre-race carbo-loading before arriving at the stations. BART will permit bicycles on the early Bay to Breakers trains that run prior to 8am with the reminder that bikes are not permitted in the first car or any crowded cars.